Different strokes for different folks. Ever since
some entertainers declared their intention to seek
elective offices, the decision has been welcomed
with mixed reaction and several controversies.
The likes of Desmond Elliot, 9ice and KSB are
some of the entertainers who have gone under
public scrutiny over their political ambition.
For popular Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot, whose
eye is set on the Lagos State House of Assembly,
the bone of contention has been on the name
‘Olushola’ which he has adopted.
Until recently, a lot of Nigerians did not know
the actor is a Yoruba man till his campaign
posters surfaced online. In a chat with Saturday
Beats, the actor said that he has never denied
his ethnicity. He said that while growing up, the
name everybody called him was Shola.
“Where I grew up in Surulere they know me by
the name Shola and that is what they call me. I
use Desmond Elliot which is my first and last
name for my profession basically because I wanted
to remain neutral, you could not tell where I
come from. It is not because I am ashamed of
where I come from. If I was, I would not be
involved in Yoruba films or any Yoruba events
neither will my kids have Yoruba names,” he said.
For those who still doubt his roots, the dark
skinned movie producer said that his father is
from Lagos Island while his mother is from Delta
State.
Elliot said, “In the interviews that I have done,
I have never denied that I am Yoruba, I always
mentioned my names. People have always guessed
where I come from and I left it open because
truthfully I am a Nigerian. I am a Yoruba man
and I would never deny other tribes that I have
come in contact with. I am Yoruba by birth, I
schooled in the North, I married someone from
the South and my mother is from Delta State.
“I am from Olowogbowo in Lagos Island; it is not
something that is hidden. I tell people that say
I don’t identify with the Yoruba race that I do
so because I have done several Yoruba movies. At
what point did the name become an issue, have I
not been a worthy citizen of Lagos State?”
Although the name Abolore Akande might not ring
a bell, when 9ice is mentioned, the song Gongo
Aso readily comes to mind. When the singer made
public his intention to contest for a seat in the
House of Representatives, many thought it was
because of his dwindling career.
But the singer told Saturday Beats that he had
not failed in his career having seven albums
under his belt. He also debunked speculations that
his foray into politics is because he is going
broke.
“If my music career failed, I would not have
seven albums under my belt. I am yet to see any
of my colleagues that has seven albums. If your
music is not appealing, you cannot release seven
albums because there would be no marketer to buy
them and there would not be any demand for
them. When there is no demand, there can be no
supply. I think some people want me to do what
they want but I like doing what I want. If
people in the industry are going right, I would
go left if I believe that is the way to go. I
don’t care if everybody is doing party songs, let
them enjoy their party, I have my own principle
and I know what I want to become. I am stating
for a fact that there would be some of my
colleagues that would not be remembered 10 years
from now because of the kind of songs they have
released. I don’t want to be like that. I might
not be rich or popular but I would be a legend
and that is my priority. My music career has not
failed and that is not why I ventured into
politics. “For those saying that I am into politics
because I am going broke, I tell them that I am
not a rich man, neither am I from a rich
family; poverty is not far from me, I am close
to it and I am not afraid of it. I have never
been an artiste that would flaunt wealth, I
cannot be who people want me to be. I would
always be myself. I am neither hungry, rich nor
poor, so that question doesn’t apply to me. It
should be directed at whoever says he is rich, I
have never said something like that. I am from a
poor family,” 9ice said.
Shortly after his candidate’s last week, his ex-
wife, Tony Payne, tweeted advising people to be
sure of their candidate and not to vote based on
the candidate popularity. The message soon went
viral with many people claiming that it was
aimed at the singer.
Reacting to the remarks, 9ice said that as far
as his name was not mentioned in the message,
it was not aimed at him.
“As far as my name, constituency and race was
not mentioned, I don’t believe it has anything to
do with me. It might just be a coincidence but
if someone comes out and says, ‘People check
Akande Abolore very well before voting for him,’
then I would know it is directed at me. I don’t
take assumptions for a direct message,” he said.
Also, his colleague in the industry, Kenny Saint
Best, claimed that her venture into politics is
not because of a failing career.
She said, “What is the yardstick for measuring
success? If for 16 years I have been leading the
pack; I have been part of the revolution in
Nigerian music, even in the gospel sector, where
are the people we started doing music together?
You have to check my contemporaries. The problem
with Nigerians is that they believe when you are
not the rave of the moment, you are not
successful and that is not true. You don’t have to
always lead the pack and also you don’t have to
be at the tail end, it pays to be in the middle
and be consistent. I don’t have any other business
aside doing music; it is music that has
sustained me. Everything I do revolves round music.
They say all this because I don’t make noise; if I
want to make noise, Baba Keke is there to make
noise for me from now till eternity. But the kind
of platform I have would give others the
opportunity to thrive, so I intentionally allowed
my brother to downplay me. Jaywon, Tuface have
come and gone but there is still KSB, it was his
responsibility to give them the same platform he
gave his sister at a point in time. I am still
consistent; I won best gospel artiste of the year
in 2010, 2011,2013. I was able to bring change to
gospel music, a lot of people cannot make such a
change, I brought gospel music to the forefront.”

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/from-the-tube-to-politics-desmond-elliot-9ice-ksb-speak-on-controversies/

I am not causing Desmond or others. We need a shift from the old political circle that delivers the same leadership result.

But not just name here o. All these politicians that fly their pregnant wife to deliver in advanced country, so as to obtain dual citizenship for their kids should be checked and considered sabotures. They can comfortably collapse the country, believing their children have a home abroad.